Chapter 571 - Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

Just as Nevada was about to extinguish Meyel’s phantom, the Regressor, having completely caught her off guard, leapt out from behind her. 'A chance…!' Thunk. The regressor's celestial sword pierced into Nevada’s back. The fabric of her silk clothes tore, revealing a scar nearly a hand span long on Nevada's ancient-like back. It was a successful ambush, capitalizing on Nevada's complete lapse in vigilance. The Regressor intended to twist the blade further to decapitate Nevada. However, too many trees had already grown. Nevada had become this forest, and as long as the regressor remained within it, it was akin to being in the grasp of her hands. Branches extending from the small world tree swallowed the Regressor. Vines wrapped around her arms, legs, and wrists. The interwoven branches formed a lattice, hindering her movements. Even though the Regressor was formidable, having mastered internal tranquility, dismissing such vines with sheer force was merely a matter of ease. But it was inevitable to lose momentum momentarily in the process. For an opponent like Nevada, even that brief hesitation was too much. Nevada's extended palm rammed into the Regressor’s empty abdomen. Unable to even see the approach, ensnared by the foliage, there was no way to react with her celestial senses. She could only curl her body in defense, enveloping it with energy. "Oof!" In a single blow, her waist snapped backward, and the resulting shock reverberated through. The regressor was half-buried into the ground, coughing up blood. [Shei… you should have fled while you had the chance. You could have escaped if you were alone.] "If you wished so dearly to aid me, you should have come yourself. At the very least, you're braver than them, for you dared stab me directly." Nevada sneered at Meyel, alienating her ephemeral existence. Meyel's form blurred like fireflies at dawn. Nevada's forest inexorably shrouded the light, summoning darkness. "Vanish, specter of the fallen princess. Return in your true form next time, with a resolute will." This was merely an echo of Meyel. Her presence meant that she was scrutinizing the future of this space from the far-off dominion of the Sacred Temple. The opponent Nevada faced was nothing more than a dream woven within the Sacred Temple. As blossoms spread, Meyel’s form dissolved like a midsummer night’s dream. Nevada did not revel in victory, aware that this triumph might be just another fleeting illusion. Instead, Nevada quickly moved her limbs, aiming a kick at the regressor's hamstrings and smothering the blade that targeted her diagonally with the minor world tree. Her limbs sealed, the Regressor summoned her last strength to throw her celestial sword. The invisible blade grazed Nevada’s skin. With the final move intended to kill the opponent, Nevada, gazing upon the Regressor, allowed herself a fleeting smile for the first time. “Well done.” Already, bark began to grow over Nevada’s skin. Although primitive sorcery, conceived by humans who envied armor so much that they wished bark to be their shell, Nevada wielded it as an embodiment of the tree, making it sturdier than any armor. The Regressor's last attempt did not touch her. “But it ends here. A pity. If only you weren’t a minion of the fallen princess, I might have spared you.” “…Shut up! It’s not over yet!” “No, it is over. The fallen princess who might aid you is absent, and there is no reason to let you live. Your time ends here.” Nevada lifted her hand, aiming at the Regressor’s hollow abdomen. Her arm, resembling the ancient tree, brimmed with spiritual energy, transforming into the paw of a beast armed with sharp claws. Nevada, without hesitation, swung the great arm that could effortlessly rip a human body asunder. Facing impending death, the Regressor widened her eyes even in utter hopelessness. ‘I haven’t reached it yet…! But there’s hope! This session has already yielded plenty!’ Sensing danger, the celestial insight moved her body urgently. Yet, bound by vines, her limbs did not obey. The refined energy mastery, informed by countless deaths, and the body, unacquainted with death in this session, issued a stern warning. Countless images flashed through the Regressor’s mind. She etched the imminent death firmly in her memory. ‘See you in the next session! Now that I know Hughes is the King of Humans, I won’t wander aimlessly!’ Preparing for the next session, aiming to be of even some help. Wait a moment. Then, the Regressor must not die? “Wait!” With full force, I forestalled Nevada. Though it was impossible to stop her with my insignificant strength, it's possible with Nevada’s own power! “Tree of Origin!” I accessed Nevada's demon spirit through mine, maneuvering the source that governs this green sanctuary. While I couldn't seize the space in its entirety as Nevada could! I could shift it slightly around Nevada and the Regressor! The vines entangling the Regressor suddenly altered their course, obstructing Nevada’s forepaw. A powerful strike that pierced the sheer space. Too heavy and forceful for mere vines to bear. Yet, a demon spirit remains a demon spirit. It was enough to create a single opening. Seizing that fleeting moment, the Regressor’s celestial insight maneuvered to safeguard her unfettered limbs. “Grr…!” Unable to utter even a proper scream, the Regressor spewed blood as she was smashed. Her arms, having weathered the assault, fractured powerlessly, and the impact was fierce enough to nearly knock her unconscious. Nevertheless, despite enduring a lethal blow, the Regressor still clung to life. I urgently dashed to intercept Nevada before she could administer the final blow. “One moment, Nevada! Stop! You can’t kill them!” “My liege. I will ensure nothing remains of the body.” “No, you really can’t!” The world will reset! She’ll regress! The Regressor will return to the past without any issues, and the past me won't be aware of anything and will face the catastrophe that is the Regressor! It implies the situation will slip out of my control! Nevada, typically indifferent to my inclinations, paused her attack, suddenly questioning my desperate demeanor. “My liege would not speak without reason. What motive underlies the decree that the servant of the fallen princess must not die?” Because of regression…! But I couldn’t unveil that. This secret of the Regressor was an essential weapon, and knowing it granted me a significant advantage. Exposing it recklessly would mean discarding a weapon in my arsenal. Moreover, moments ago, Nevada employed a peculiar technique that repeatedly immerses a person in endless death, turning them into a tree. If she used that attack knowing about the regression… I can't even begin to imagine what would happen. Then what should I say? Plead that the Regressor is a good person despite their association with the saintess and ask to spare her life? Nevada wouldn't care. Perhaps suggest the Regressor might betray the saintess and join us? But Nevada isn't foolish enough to engage in strategic battles with a saintess who foresees the future. Ugh. There's no other way. When you can't provide a reason, you must appeal to emotions. I poured out my heart, half sincerely, and said: "I've grown fond of her!" Apparently, Nevada hadn't anticipated such an emotional appeal, and she tilted her head briefly. Her contemplation didn’t last long. "The servant of the fallen princess harbors deceit within their heart and follows the princess’s will over their own, thus keeping them alive would endanger you, my liege. Discard such attachments." “No, no. How do you just discard attachments? It’s easier said than done; it's not something you can control at will.” “If necessary, I shall sever those bonds myself.” “No, no, no! I said hold back! And who are you to decide to sever ties with Shei yourself?” This wasn’t working. I didn’t want to say this, but I snapped at Nevada. "It was Shei who saved me when I was trapped in the Abyss, hanging between life and death! I almost died because of that so-called masterwork of yours, but Shei protected me from those creatures! She helped me escape and has saved my life multiple times on this journey!" Though I almost lost my right arm when we first met. There were other crises due to the Regressor, and the saintess's constant interference endangered my trajectory. Ah, realizing this suddenly makes me feel aggrieved. I've suffered so much, yet should I be defending the Regressor? I was mulling over my feelings when Nevada's voice broke my thoughts. "My liege, I speak humbly… Do you not understand the machinations of the fallen princess?" “Machinations?” "The fallen princess manipulates causality and people. Though you were saved from dire peril, and gratitude is demanded in return, what’s hidden is that she created those very perils. The affection and gratitude you feel, if intertwined with the princess, lose their meaning and become tainted." Nevada spoke neither with certainty nor doubt, explaining as if discussing natural phenomena like rain or clouds. Yes, I know what she's referring to. The same way Hilde couldn’t abandon the Sacred Temple that saved her, and how the troubled Master of Thunder ultimately chose faith. The Sacred Temple plants the seeds of faith even amidst crises. "Therefore, my liege’s peril too was a pit dug by the twilight-like princess. Do not fret much; just observe my actions." "Though, indeed, there have been crises faced due to Shei. Hmm. Nevada, you may be right." I understand. I do. But my desire to save the Regressor isn’t just about emotions. If she dies, she'll regress! "But still, there's some attachment. Watching someone you know die before your eyes is sad, right?" "I shall make sure you do not witness it." She's determined to ignore me! Damn, what should I do? Should I let her die like this? But if that triggers regression? No, I can’t let the Regressor die! At least not until I regain my strength! “By royal decree!” To my sudden outburst, Nevada ceased her actions sooner than expected. Her hands, that were about to tear the Regressor apart, withdrew, and she stared at me like a startled deer. "If you are a warrior of the king, can you grant me this request? Spare Shei’s life." “…A royal decree, you say. Do you recall that?” In the distant past, in the savage era when humanity was no more than beasts, the King of Humans merely reigned without truly ruling. The King of Humans, only a Hunter-King, neither issued orders nor commanded attendance. Followers dictated their own service and worshipped him as their king. Yet even followers required a symbol of loyalty. Without the king’s demands, their fidelity was mere unrequited devotion. Hence, the king's warriors requested a promise of the King of Humans. To grant them, just once, the opportunity to validate their loyalty. Regardless of its significance or triviality, the fact that the King of Humans ‘requested’ it alone designated them as warriors of the king. Their loyalty acknowledged. And Nevada had yet to fulfill such a decree. Receiving another royal decree was her yearning, driving her through endless years. Of course, I’m sure she never anticipated hearing it from a half-baked king like me. “Though you do not sit upon the throne yet, this is a desperate measure to evade this situation. Therefore, I cannot uphold such a decree.” Nevada hadn't entrusted her wish to me. She already possessed the capability to fulfill her desires. Nevada approached the fallen Regressor in the midst of the foliage. “However, honoring your intent, though not a decree, I shall preserve this one’s life.” “Wow. Thank you. I’ll repay you generously later.” But wait a second, what? Just her life? That sounds a bit ominous. Nevada stomped down onto the Regressor’s chest. The difference in power was immense. What remained for the Regressor was merely an opportunity to start the next round. But that’s indeed monumental. Even as the Regressor panted from pain, she maintained her defiant demeanor, gazing up at Nevada with unyielding eyes. “…Just kill me. You'll regret it otherwise.” “It’s my liege’s intention, be grateful.” “Huh. Be grateful for…?” Instead of answering, Nevada took hold of the Regressor’s shoulder. It was a grip too fierce to merely be laying a hand. The hands grasping her shoulder transformed into a beast's claws. A sense of foreboding arises. Though not a prophet, the image of what's to come vividly sketched itself before me. I fervently hoped it wouldn't unfold, but my forebodings were never wrong. Without a word, Nevada twisted the Regressor’s right arm and tore it off in one fell swoop, as if breaking a branch from a tree. The forest trembled mightily. Hot blood sprayed through the cold breeze weaving between the trees. The Regressor let out a horrendous scream. Holding the Regressor’s right arm like a toy, Nevada mindlessly placed her hand on the other shoulder. Despite trembling violently, the Regressor urgently shook her head. Even the Regressor, who did not fear death, felt terror witnessing the primitive brutality of Nevada’s handiwork. Yet, her opponent was a human closely resembling a beast. A catastrophe of civilization, preserving the barbaric age. Tearing off a human arm brought neither emotion nor hesitation. As Nevada applied pressure, she murmured, "Then, blame your liege."